Above and Below the Wire of Death
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45.7 km • Leudal
official route
1.2504 0 0/5
Addresse starting point (approximate)
Sebastiaanstraat 52, 6011 RE Ell, Netherlands
signage
The route is fully signposted with nodes.
Description
You can start this cycling route in Ell, where you can possibly park the car just before the church.
During the first part of this journey, you cycle through the Heijkersbroek, a quiet landscape of meadows, brooks, and marshes.
You also ride a section through Belgian Limburg, where you can stop at a reconstruction of the 'Wire of Death'. This was an electric fence established by the Germans during World War I to stop people from fleeing to neutral Netherlands. In total, more than 1000 people lost their lives along this over 450 km long electric border between Belgium and the Netherlands.
After re-entering the Netherlands, you will discover the charming village of Thorn, known for its white houses and narrow streets. Here you will find more than enough hospitality establishments to take a short break.
Via Sluis Panheel and along the Maasplassen, you cycle back to the starting point of this fantastic bike ride.
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nodes to follow
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45.7 km